MagSafe connector heats up really bad, why is that?

I have a late 2009, macbook white, which up until a couple of days ago worked perfectly - now, every time I'm attaching the magsafe connector to the laptop, the connector itself heats up quite a lot in a matter of minutes. It works ok if I try to recharge the battery whilst the laptop is powered off, however every time I'm trying to recharge the battery with the laptop powered on the connector heats up to the point that I can barely touch it.

I can't figure out what is to blame here; is it the connector from the cable at fault, or is it the connector inside the laptop, or the battery?

Also now, the connector only charges the battery if I fiddle with its position a bit.

Any input into the matter would be much appreciated:

Thank you!

Update (06/11/2014)

oh and does anyone know how I can safely dismantle the MagSafe connector? I'd like to check the wiring, before buying a new charger.

I have a MagSafe 1 with the straight connector. It is an 85W unit, and it heats up to where I fear it could set paper or fabric (esp. polyester or polar fleece) on fire if left in contact. The pins on the MagSafe move freely. They are _not_ stuck in either the up or down position. The receptacle the adaptor connects to is clear, with nothing on the surface in the way of dirt, debris, or corrosion.

This happened with the original MagSafe adaptor with the "L" connector, also (that one died and was discarded). I don't know if the pins were stuck on that connector, but it is a moot point since my current adaptor heats up in spite of the pins working as they should.

This my third MacBook Pro (Mid-2012 model). My first MacBook Pro purchased in June of 2008 died and was replaced with this one. Both are/were 15". All of the power adaptors started running hot after the first couple of years.

2 Respuestas

Sounds like the DC in board needs to be replaced in your MacBook. As you didn't tell us which model you have I can't supply you the part number. Review the IFIXIT guides for your system to learn how to replace the part.

Some people have encountered issues with the insulators breaking down in the connector in the system.

I would also recommend you inspect the contacts to see if they are damaged (melted plastic) on the charger as well, you may need to replace it as well here.

You are making assumptions without real data. In my case, and many other reports, the magsafe connector overheats pin 2 and 4 due to bad electrical connections, NOT a short in the connector. Cleaning the pins and removing magnetic particles collected by the magnet fixes the problem. That could NOT fix a short. Please limit your responses to something you know something about!

I have cleaned _all_ of the connectors, all of the pins are able to depress and spring back, yet my MagSafe 1 still gets very hot. Just 60 minutes ago, I was charging it after it shut down due to a low battery. After only being on the charger for about ten minutes (showing 17% on the battery at that point), it was too hot to hold. I cooled it down with a cold pack, and was able to keep it running. I removed it when the battery was showing 93%.